Unless the Namibian Government denies a permit, this Russian flagged vessel -- now reportedly owned by a Chinese company – will get the go-ahead for the most deadly capture of orcas, bottlenose dolphins, pinnipeds and penguins in history.
The lives of 10 orcas, 100 dolphins, and hundreds more pinnipeds and penguins are at stake.
The Ryazanovka now reportedly sits in Walvis Bay port, in Namibia, far from its sordid history in Russian waters where it has occasionally captured marine mammals for sale to foreign companies. Reports indicate that this capture scheme is bankrolled by a Chinese company to deliver them to entertainment facilities in China.
The Namibian Government is still undecided as to whether it will allow the captures to move forward. The Fisheries Ministry has indicated that a decision will be made within the next few days. The Chinese are also leveraging themselves by negotiating military bases in certain hotspot areas such as Namibia. Negotiations for such a proposed military base started with Namibia during 2014.
David Phillips, Director of Earth Island Institute’s Int’l Marine Mammal Project stated: “Granting this permit would be a catastrophic for orcas and other dolphins. These blood dolphin traders leave a trail of death and depletion. And the orcas and dolphins they capture face inhumane treatment and shortened lives in concrete tanks.”
There isn’t much time to try to turn the tide on this dangerous plan.
Earth Island Institute’s International Marine Mammal Project is calling on individuals and organizations to urgently email officials in the Namibian Government to deny the permit.
Minister of Fisheries Bernhard Esau:
besau@mfmr.gov.na
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Dr. Moses.Maurihungirire:
Moses.Maurihungirire@mfmr.gov.na
Hon. Minister of Environment and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta:
shifeta_za@yahoo.com
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment and Tourism Malan Lindeque:
malan.lindeque@met.gov.na
Also, please follow the efforts of the NGO Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization, working on this issue on the ground in Namibia.
